NEWS: Birighitti calls for resolute defensive performance

Ahead of Newcastle Jets’ trip to Queensland for Friday’s Hyundai A-League round 19 match against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium, Jets shot-stopper Mark Birighitti said another strong defensive effort will be required to get a result against Roar.

Disappointed to miss out on a clean sheet late on against Melbourne City, Birighitti said the coaching staff and players have made some adjustments throughout the week in their bid to keep John Aloisi’s men at bay.

“Our back four and myself pride ourselves on keeping clean sheets and to give away a cheap goal was disappointing, but we’ll rectify that and look to turn it around tomorrow night and hopefully come away with a win,” Birighitti said.

“We will be kept busy but we have analysed their [Brisbane] game and there are areas where we can hurt them.”

“The whole back four and the two defensive midfielders have been on the top of their game and if they are on the top of their game it makes my job a lot easier,” he said.

Having made their home debuts on the weekend, Birighitti praised the immediate impact of both January signings Steven Ugarkovic and Morten Nordstrand on and off the pitch, saying their arrivals and professionalism had rubbed off on the rest of the squad.

“Our home performances have not been the best this season and to turn that around was a massive step,” Birighitti said. “And it was good to see the new boys get minutes in their legs.”

“We had a good result last week but it does not count for anything if we cannot back it up tomorrow [Friday] night.”

“Steven came in and made a big difference and Morten came off the bench and made an impact, and they will be a crucial part in the team’s success,” he said.